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According to a survey published in April 2016 in Greece, nearly one out of every two respondents (47%) agrees with the statement that “we have democracy on paper but not in practice”. 45% of the respondents claim that “participation in the elections is meaningless because at the end the foreigners decide”. Interestingly enough this survey was conducted on behalf of Kathimerini, a newspaper that is part of the SKAI Media Group, one of the major media groups in the country.
Ten months ago, SKAI’s outlets, along with many established media in Greece, set aside their adherence to the professional role of the detached observer to openly advocate a ‘yes’ position in the referendum held to decide whether to accept or reject the bailout conditions proposed by the European Commission, the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank together with the harsh austerity measures this proposal entailed. Despite many mainstream media campaigns and international political pressure in favor of the ‘yes’ position, a clear majority of 61% of Greek voters supported the ‘no’ position.
